Washboard



A.A MABRY Oct.' 22, 1935.

WASHBOARD Filed Sept. 23, 1953 Patented Oct. 22, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

The device forming the subject matter of this application is a washboard. One object of the invention is to provide a novel rubbing member for the washboard. Another object of the invention is to providenovel means for assembling the rub-plate with the frame. A further object of the invention is to improve the soap receptacle.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that lchanges in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig: 1 shows in elevation, a device constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4.- is a longitudinal section showing one surface of the rubbing member turned uppermost;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section showing the opposite surface of the rubbing board turned uppermost;

Fig. 6 is a fragmental section showing how the rubbing member is assembled with the frame.

Fig. 7 is a fragmental side elevation showing a portion of one of the arms of the washboard frame. v

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a frame I, which is generally made of wood. The upper end of the frame I is curved to form a semi-circular bridge 2 and the frame I includes parallel side arms 3. In the inner surfaces of the side arms 3 there are longitudinal grooves 4. These grooves 4 terminate short of the lower ends of the arms 3, as shown in Fig. 2. There is a groove 5 in the inner edge of the bridge 2 of the frame I. At its lower end, the groove 5 in the bridge 2 communicates with the upper ends of the grooves 4 in the side arms 3. The grooves 4 in the side arms 3 are somewhat wider than the groove 5 in the'bridge 2.

The body of the board is made of a single piece of metal which cannot rust, and is denoted by the numeral 6. The body 6 comprises a flat up.- per portion 1, the edge of which is shaped to be received in the groove 5 of the bridge 2. The side edges of the body 6 are received in the grooves 4 of the side arms 3. In the upper portion of the part 'I of the body of the board there is an opening 8, whereby the board may be hung up when not in use.

The body 6 of the device includes a rubbing 5 member 9 provided at its lower end with a transf verse cylindrical socket IIJ, through which extends a securing element I I, preferably a rod, the rod being extended through the side arms 3 of the frame I. There are washers I2 on the ends l0 of the rod II, and these washers are received in recesses I4 formed in the outer surfaces of the arms. The ends of the rod or securing element I I are riveted down as shown at I5, on the washers I2, and thus the frame I is held in the U- 15 shaped position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, with the body 6 of the board firmly engaged in grooves 4 and 5 of the frame I.

Where the rubbing member 9 joins the part 2 of the board, there is a transverse shelf or soap 20 holder I6. The soap holder I6 is formed in onepiece with the body 6. It comprises a transverse main portion I'I, turned upon itself to form an overlying upper ilange I8, and an underlying ange I9, the anges I8 and I9 being in Contact 25 with the main portion I'I of the soap holder I6. The inner edge of the upper flange I8 is joined to the flat portion 1 of the body 6, and the inner edge of the lower flange I9 is joined to the rubbing member 9 of the board. At its ends, the soap 30 holder or shelf I6 has inwardly inclined edges 20. When the frame I is clamped on the body 6 of the board, by the action of the rod I I and the washers -I 2, the inclined edges 29 indent the wood of the side arms 3 and form seats 23, as shown in 35 Fig. 6, the hold of the frame I on the body 6 of the board being enhanced accordingly. Moreover, as shown irr Fig. 3, the inclined edges ZI! cooperate with the side arms 3 of the frame I, to form grooves 2|, through which the'water can run, 40 from the space above the soap holder or shelf I6, on the rubbing member 9 of the board. The water above the shelf or soap holder I6 is laden with soap, to some considerable extent, andV it is desirable to have this soap laden Water delivered 45 on the rubbing portion of the board. 'I'his is done because the grooves 2l are provided, by the edges 29 and the adjacent surfaces of the side arms 3 on the frame I. In order to facilitate the flow 0 of soap laden water downwardly upon the rubbing portion of the board, the shelf or soap holder I3 is provided with openings 2l extended therethrough, and located closely adjacent to the portion 'I of the board, as shown in Fig. 3. 55

, Walls 25.

' of a heavy nature. If, however, a lighter rubbing action is desired, then the board is inverted, as shown in Fig. 4.

The inclined edges 20, as a matter of fact, are slightly convexed. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 3, there are no sharp edges or abrupt corners o n the soap shelf I6, to tear the garments or hurt the hands of the person doing the rubbing. VAs shown to Vgood advantage in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, the wider grooves 4 in the side arms 3 extend a littleabove the seats 23 and the soap shelf I6. The grooves 2|` of Fig. 3 are spaced a little way from the part 1 of the body of the board, and if any small Y amount of soapy water does not nd its way down on the rubbing member 9, through the grooves or notches 2l shown in Fig. 3, thatl part of the soapy water will enter the grooves 4, above the soap shelf 1, and find its way downwardly, through the grooves 4.

Having thus described the invention, what ls claimed is: Y

A washboard comprising a frame including side arms and a bridge connecting the side arms, the inner surfaces of the side arms having parallel- Walled grooves, and the inner surface of the bridge having a parallel-walled groove opening at its lower ends into Vthe grooves ofthe sidearms, the

grooves of the side arms being wider than the Y single layer upper portion, the edgeof which is received in and completely lls the groove of the Y bridge, the body comprising a lower portion having corrugations, the ends of the corrugations being receivedlin the parallel-walled grooves of the side arms, the .body being provided with a transverse, soap holding shelf, and a securing device connectlng the lower portions of the side arms, each end of the shelf having oppositely disposed converging edges defining pointed extrem# ities on the shelf, and the Ysecuring device being short enough to force the pointed extremities of the shelf into the side arms.

Y ALFRED MABRY. 

